Impingment:
This occurs when there is a "collision" or contact between the femoral
component and the acetabular one during movement. The problem may arise say
if the artifical hip does not maintain the distance between the femur and the
socket as there existed prior to the surgery. It may also arise if there are
substantial remaining osteophytes around the socket. The osteophytes are "extra"
bone that nature produces in joints that are athritic. These projections of
bone may get in the way when the artifical hip is moving and cause the ball
to lever out of the socket in certain positions.
The best treatment is prevention as far as possible and to remove the osteophytes at the time of the primary surgery. At times it is possible to correct the problem by realigning the components or by inserting a longer or larger ball component on the femur.
Back to surgery for dislocating hips
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